Friday, July 30, 2010

XStreamHD Offers Consumers the Ultimate Convenience with Access to Thousands of Cinema-Class Quality Titles in the Comfort of Their Homes

McLean, VA and Santa Monica, CA – July 14, 2010 – XStreamHD, an emerging leader in the delivery and distribution of Full HD entertainment directly to the home, announced that it has entered into a long-term Electronic Sell-Thru and Video-on-Demand home entertainment distribution agreement with Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), the leading next generation studio and distributor of motion pictures. The agreement will enable XStreamHD to offer its customers the ability to digitally purchase or rent, the latest HD releases from Lionsgate, as well as provide access to Lionsgate’s content library of over 12,000 titles.

XStreamHD’s ground-breaking whole-home HD entertainment system delivers Full 1080p HD video and up to 7.1 channels of lossless DTS-HD Master Audio™ directly to the home via satellite, enabling consumers to enjoy the very latest entertainment, in uncompromised Full HD, exceeding the quality of physical media. Additionally, every XStreamHD customer has exclusive multi-room access to Pre-Fetched Entertainment (PFE), which provides unparalleled convenience by automatically delivering just-released HD entertainment directly to each user’s personal library based upon their individual user preferences and advance title selections.

“Our partnership with XStreamHD presents us with a new opportunity to distribute our content in the digital marketplace,” said Lionsgate Executive Vice President of Distribution and Digital Jon Ferro. “Our decision to distribute our titles through XStreamHD reflects our commitment to offer consumers the highest quality home entertainment and access to our enormous library of titles.”

“We are excited to provide our customers with access to Full HD digital cinema, on the DVD release date, from the Lionsgate library of daring, original and high quality titles,” stated George Gonzalez, president and CEO of XStreamHD. “Our customers will enjoy unparalleled digital quality, access and convenience to HD entertainment without the hassles associated with slow Internet downloads or limited retailer inventory.”

Consumers can pre-order either XStreamHD’s FAST Start or PRO Start packages to receive priority shipment of the first release systems at www.XStreamHD.com. The XStreamHD FAST Start package includes one HD Media Server with 1TB storage, one HD Media Receiver, RF One Remote Control, and all of the accessories, including one 3m High-Speed Cat2 certified HDMI cable and two 3m Cat5e Ethernet cables. The PRO Start package includes all of above plus customers will receive an upgraded HD PRO Media Receiver, which replaces the HD Media Receiver. The FAST Start package is priced at only $399 while the Pro Start package will be offered for $499. 2TB and 4TB storage configurations are also available with both starter packages.

About XStreamHDXStreamHD is leading the HD revolution, setting a new standard for the delivery and distribution of Full HD entertainment throughout the home. XStreamHD provides the first-ever transport network to deliver high-definition movies and music directly to the home via satellite – offering Full HD (1080p) video and up to 7.1 channels of lossless audio. With XStreamHD, consumers can build a customized, unique, and unparalleled in-home entertainment network and enjoy the content they want most including movies, music, electronic games, broadcast HDTV, and more—when it’s most convenient, anywhere in the home, and at the quality today’s home theaters were designed to support. XStreamHD is based in McLean , Virginia . For more information, visit www.XStreamHD.com.

About LionsgateLionsgate (NYSE: LGF) is the leading next generation studio with a strong and diversified presence in the production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment, video-on-demand and digitally delivered content. The Company has built a strong television presence in production of prime time cable and broadcast network series, distribution and syndication of programming through Debmar-Mercury and an array of channel assets. Lionsgate currently has nearly 20 shows on 10 different networks spanning its prime time production, distribution and syndication businesses, including such critically-acclaimed hits as "Mad Men," "Weeds" and "Nurse Jackie" along with new series such as " Blue Mountain State " and the syndication successes "Tyler Perry's House of Payne," its spinoff "Meet the Browns" and "The Wendy Williams Show."

Its feature film business has generated such recent hits as Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too?, the action film Kick-Ass, which opened at #1 at the North American box office and the critically-acclaimed Precious, which has garnered nearly $50 million at the North American box office and won two Academy Awards®. The Company's home entertainment business has grown to more than 7% market share and is an industry leader in box office-to-DVD revenue conversion rate. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 12,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate brand remains synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.

-- The ENGTX460 series of card fuse award winning DirectCU thermal design with Voltage Tweak overclocking for superb performance --Fremont, CA (July 13, 2010) - ASUS is excited to launch their ENGTX460 series of graphics cards featuring NVIDIA’s latest GeForce 400 Series GPU design that delivers impressive DX11 graphics plus support for exciting technologies like NVIDIA 3D Vision Surround, PhysX and CUDA and enhanced tessellation performance. The ASUS ENGTX460 DirectCU TOP lineup goes further than reference solutions with a focus on quality, reliability and performance. These facets are driven through performance enhancing features like DirectCU thermal design, Voltage Tweak overvolting and reliability features like GPU Guard, EMI Shield and Fuse Protection. These innovative features ensure enhanced performance and superb overclocking ability. Better Cooling with Copper — DirectCU Technology ASUS’ exclusive DirectCU copper cooling technology utilizes 8mm copper heatpipes that are custom flattened and directly contact the GPU core for improved heat transfer. The ENGTX460 TOP 768MB features 2 heatpipes while the ENGTX460 TOP 1GB features 3 heatpipes. The custom DirectCU technology provides 20 percent* better cooling than typical reference designs providing significant overclocking headroom and increased performance. DirectCU TOP cards offer the exclusive GPU Guard option featuring additional circuit board reinforcement against cracking while delivering spectacular reliability and longevity.ENGTX460 DirectCU TOP 768MBENGTX460 DirectCU TOP 1GBPushing Boundaries Further with TOP selected GPUsASUS ENGTX460 DirectCU TOP/2DI/1GD5 and ENGTX460 DirectCU TOP/2DI/768MD5 graphics cards continue with the award winning TOP design with sorted GPUs featuring factory overclocks for improved gaming and benchmarking. The ASUS ENGTX460 DirectCU TOP series feature Voltage Tweak technology that allows adjustment of voltages to the GPU, video memory and board circuitry. Voltage Tweak in unison with the Award Winning fan controls offered in Smart Doctor graphics utility allow for flexibility and safety when overclocking. These features can boost the core and memory clocks significantly for faster overall performance* in your games, applications, or benchmarks.Elevating Gaming and Multimedia To A New Level Of Immersion Dedicated gamers and media enthusiasts need look no further than the power of NVIDIA’s new GTX460 chipset in the ASUS ENGTX460 series of graphics cards. These cards open up new horizons of visual fidelity with native DirectX11 capabilities and resolutions up to 2560 x 1600. Finally, true high definition gaming comes to life in vivid detail with the added advantage of NVIDIA 3D Vision technology allowing for the most immersive gaming and cinema experience. The all-new ASUS ENGTX460 DirectCU TOP/2DI/1GD5, ENGTX460 DirectCU/2DI/1GD5, ENGTX460 DirectCU TOP/2DI/768MD5 and ENGTX460/2DI/768MD5 deliver a full spectrum of features, performance and true Windows 7 optimization. With an MSRP starting at $199.99, ASUS’ 400 series extends the latest graphics technology to new audiences.*Subject to system configuration and usage. Specifications, graphics card appearance and bundled software subject to change without notice. Please visit usa.asus.com for more details.###About ASUSASUS, the world’s top 3 consumer notebook vendor and the maker of the world’s best selling and most award winning motherboards, is a leading enterprise in the new digital era. ASUS designs and manufactures products that perfectly meet the needs of today's digital home, office and person, with a broad portfolio that includes motherboards, graphics cards, displays, desktop PCs, notebooks, netbooks, servers, multimedia, wireless solutions, networking devices and mobile phones. Driven by innovation and committed to quality, ASUS won 3,268 awards in 2009, and is widely credited with revolutionizing the PC industry with the Eee PC™. With a global staff of more than ten thousand people and a world-class R&D team of 3,000 engineers, the company's revenue for 2009 was US$7.5 billion.

-- ASUS provides hardcore gamers and enthusiasts alike all the power they need in a video card with ARES while the ASUS 5000 series provide outstanding performance for mainstream users --Fremont, CA (July 13, 2010) - ASUS is proud to launch the new standard in flagship graphics performance, The Republic of Gamers ARES graphics card. Continuing the innovative and performance oriented tradition of all ROG products the ARES raises the bar for performance, cooling capabilities, design leadership and engineering expertise in a video card. The ARES graphics card lives up to its tagline of limited edition, unlimited power. With the integration of dual ATI Radeon 5870 GPUs in combination with 4 GB of high performance GDDR5 the ARES is upwards of 30%* faster than reference 5970 solutions.Superior DesignUtilizing superior design techniques that include a custom PCB, high quality electrical components, copper heatsinks, metal fan shroud, high flow fan assembly and a specially designed dissipative back plate the ARES produces temperatures eclipsing the performance of the reference 5970 while offering considerably more performance.Pushing Frame Rates and Breaking RecordsFor gamers and enthusiasts looking to push ARES to its full performance potential, ASUS continues the tradition of offering our award winning Voltage Tweak option. In combination with the robust fan controls offered in the Smart Doctor graphics utility users can push their cards to the limit for the smoothest game play possible at HD resolutions. ASUS EAH5870, 5850 and EAH5830 Series Featuring Copper and Direct Heatpipe Designs ASUS is launching the new EAH5000 Series range of graphics cards with innovative thermal and PCB designs that ensure exceptional performance results for gaming, HD media playback and overclocking activities. This continues ASUS’ trend of providing best-in-class designs, features and performance in a variety of video cards.Cooling is always a concern of top performing graphics solutions whether you are gaming, playing HD media content, or overclocking. The ASUS EAH5870V2 leads the way offering a custom designed copper heatsink and fins to allow for 17% cooler performance than reference solutions. The ASUS EAH5850 and EAH5830 graphics cards include DirectCU technology, which feature two 8mm specially-flattened copper heat pipes that contact the GPU directly. This allows the cards to dissipate heat up to 20%* more effectively during gameplay and enable up to 35%* quieter operation in idle mode than reference solutions.ASUS EAH5870 V2ASUS EAH5850 DirectCU TOPASUS EAH5830 DirectCUASUS EAH5000 Series with Voltage Tweak for Great Overclocking Potential The ASUS EAH5870V2 Stalker Edition and EAH5850 DirectCU TOP graphics cards feature default GPU speeds of 868MHz and 765MHz, and memory clock speeds of 4800MHz and 4600MHz, respectively. The EAH5850 DirectCU TOP features an overclock potential of the GPU core clock speed to reach 800MHz* or higher for unparalleled performance in a midrange card. Additionally, ASUS’ Voltage Tweak technology provides users with the option of boosting GPU voltages for further increases in performance when overclocking. Cutting-edge Design with a Focus on Safety and ReliabilityThe ASUS EAH5000 series features a suite of design features that enables maximum gaming performance and unmatched overclocking reliability. The exclusive Dust-proof Fan design adds enhanced endurance to the ASUS EAH5000 Series as they extend the longevity of fan assemblies by up to 25%* longer than regular fans found on generic graphics cards. The ASUS EAH5000 series is also equipped with the innovative GPU Guard. Originally used in military-grade products, GPU Guard effectively doubles the structural integrity of the graphics card to prevent PCB cracks from occurring. The cards also feature multiple sets of input fuses and additional EMI shielding, safeguarding both components and users.*Subject to system configuration and usage. Specifications, graphics card appearance and bundled software subject to change without notice. Please visit usa.asus.com for more details.###About ASUSASUS, the world’s top 3 consumer notebook vendor and the maker of the world’s bestselling and most award winning motherboards, is a leading enterprise in the new digital era. ASUS designs and manufactures products that perfectly meet the needs of today's digital home, office and person, with a broad portfolio that includes motherboards, graphics cards, displays, desktop PCs, notebooks, netbooks, servers, multimedia, wireless solutions, networking devices and mobile phones. Driven by innovation and committed to quality, ASUS won 3,268 awards in 2009, and is widely credited with revolutionizing the PC industry with the Eee PC™. With a global staff of more than ten thousand people and a world-class R&D team of 3,000 engineers, the company's revenue for 2009 was US$7.5 billion. ASUS has been listed in BusinessWeek's InfoTech 100 for 12 years.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

-- Free Overclocking Utilities for Real Time Tweaking from the Convenience of a Keyboard or Any Browser Device --TAIPEI, Taiwan – July 12, 2010 – GIGABYTE TE CH NOLOGY Co., Ltd, a leading manufacturer of motherboards, graphics cards and other computing hardware solutions is proud to launch two free overclocking applications for GIGABYTE motherboards. GIGABYTE Hotkey OC features real time overclocking via designated keys on a standard keyboard that allow for different overclocking settings to be used during various stages in a benchmark. GIGABYTE Cloud OC enables overclocking or system status monitoring and tweaking in real time from any device with an internet browser and wireless or Bluetooth connectivity.

GIGABYTE Hotkey OCGIGABYTE Hotkey OC is part of the new EasyTune 6 utility, a free Windows®-based overclocking tool that ships with every GIGABYTE motherboard, which allows users to create and save various profiles that can be adopted for different benchmarks. Hotkey OC then allows users to jump between these profiles on the fly so that the best profile for each segment within the benchmark can be used to optimize scores and boost overall performance. So, for example, when running 3DMark 06 the 1st profile might be optimized for graphics and can be used for the first two graphics tests, then the next two tests can utilize the 2nd profile which might be optimized for CPU tests, and one could jump back to the 1st profile again for the final two graphics (shader) tests.

What’s more, users can share their profiles by email, skype, MSN, etc… so that overclocking teams don’t need to be in the same location when benching. Any EasyTune 6 profile can be imported as one of up to four hotkeys. The hotkeys are ‘Ctrl+ Alt+ Function keys (F1 to F12)’, ‘Ctrl+ Alt+ Number keys (1 to 9 & 0)’or ‘Ctrl+ Alt+ letters of the alphabet (A to Z)’ with a maximum of 4 hotkeys. Hotkey OC works with every motherboard that is able to use EasyTune 6; that is every motherboard currently available from GIGABYTE.

GIGABYTE Cloud OCGIGABYTE Cloud OC is a free overclocking application that facilitates PC overclocking through any web browsing capable device such as a smart phone, iPad, iPhone, Netbooks or notebook PC. Being browser based it connects via wireless Internet, Bluetooth or through an Ethernet cable and its many functions are categorized into three tabs: Tuner, System Info and Control. The Tuner tab provides a full range of tweaking options that include CPU, Memory, VGA, and P CI -E frequencies and voltages. The System Info tab enables real time PC system status monitoring for values such as CPU temperature, cooling fan speeds, CPU VCore and system temperature. The Control tab allows for controlling system power states with restart, power off, suspend, and hibernate options.

GIGABYTE Cloud OC works on all X58, P55 and H55 chipset motherboards from GIGABYTE. Other models are currently being validated and are expected to support Cloud OC in the near future.

“What makes Hotkey OC and Cloud OC so unique is that they are available on an extensive range of existing GIGABYTE motherboards without requiring additional hardware or cost,” said Tim Handley, Deputy Director of Marketing, GIGABYTE Technology Co. Ltd. “Both of these utilities are great examples of the caliber of software innovation that GIGABYTE has at its disposal, and we are especially excited about Cloud OC due to the exciting remote PC access possibilities that we are exploring for future versions.”

About GIGABYTE Upgrade Your LifeGIGABYTE, headquartered in Taipei , Taiwan , is known as a global leading brand in the IT industry, with employees and business channels in almost every country. Founded in 1986, GIGABYTE started as a research and development team and has since taken the lead in the world's motherboard market. On top of motherboards and graphics accelerators, GIGABYTE further expanded its product portfolio to include notebook and desktop PCs, digital home entertainment appliances, networking servers, communications, mobile and handheld devices, servicing every facet of people's lives at home or business. Everyday GIGABYTE aims to “Upgrade Your Life” with the most innovative designs and impeccable quality and services. Visit www.gigabyte.us for more information.

Fremont, California, USA, July 7, 2010 - Patriot Memory, a global pioneer in high-performance memory, NAND flash and computer peripheral solutions, today announced the immediate availability of the LX Series SDXC Memory Cards. Available in 64GB capacity, the LX Series SDXC card carries the UHS-I (Ultra High Speed – Class 1) certification identifying these cards as having bus-interface speeds of up to 104 MB/s and the ability to record High Definition video in real-time. The Patriot 64GB UHS-I SDHX cards are capable of storing up to 21,000+ pictures (6 megapixel) or over 10 hours of 1920 x 1080 HD video.*SDXC (Secure Digital eXtended Capacity) is the next-generation standard for SD cards established by the Secure Digital Association SDA. The first LX Series SDXC memory cards are available in 64GB capacity; double the capacity of existing SDHC cards which support up to a maximum of 32GB. The SDXC standard provides a roadmap for card capacities up to 2TB.With UHS-I certification, Patriot LX Series UHS-I SDXC cards provide a minimum sustained write speed of 10MB/s. Write speeds are important when recording 1920 x 1080 HD videos or capturing still photos of sporting events, where lag time when saving can cause you to miss the moment. Patriot’s LX Series SDXC cards are fast enough to keep up with the most demanding new photography and video equipment making them perfect for both the new DSLR user or seasoned professional. As an industry standard, SDXC is expecting widespread adoption with many host devices supporting the format: digital cameras, mobile phones, HDTVs, media players and more.“The LX Series Class 10 SDXC memory cards are another example of how Patriot provides cutting edge solutions to end users and channel partners,” states Les Henry, Vice President of Engineering at Patriot. “Our LX Series Class 10 SDXC cards provide the capacity and performance required by consumers for extended HD-video recording and rapid still image photography. Capture every image or video without missing a moment - Depend on the Patriot LX Class 10 SDXC card.”Patriot LX Series UHS-I SDXC memory cards are tested for reliability and compatibility with a comprehensive list of host devices and offer a 5 year warranty. LX Series cards are also available from Patriot in SDHC and MicroSDHC formats in a range of offerings from 4GB to 32GB capacities.

* Approximations: results may vary based on the host device, settings, file size, resolution, compression rate, bit-rate and other factors.** MSRP may vary by region or territory and does not reflect sales taxes, VAT, shipping or other charges.For more information about Patriot’s products and solutions, please contact your Patriot Sales Representative or visit http://www.patriotmemory.com/.About Patriot Memory:Patriot Memory designs, manufactures and markets high performance, enthusiast memory modules, flash products, and computing technologies. Patriot products have become world renown for their extreme performance, reliability and innovation. Patriot Memory sells its products through original equipment manufacturers, retailers, e-tailers and distributors throughout the world with operations in North America, Asia and Europe. Patriot Memory’s parent company, PDP Systems, Inc., was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Fremont, California, USA.All company and/or product names may be trade names, trademarks and/or registered trademarks of the respective owners with which they are associated. Features, pricing, availability, and specifications are subject to change without notice.

July 7th, 2010 (Lexington, KY) — World renowned loudspeaker company THIEL Audio (www.thielaudio.com) has announced that seven models from their award winning lineup have become available through Amazon.com for the US market. These models include the architectural products, bookshelf speakers and subwoofers.

“We believe that online commerce for high performance audio will include the largest retailers such as Amazon,” explained Ken Dawkins, Vice President of North American Sales for THIEL. “Our relationship with Amazon will position THIEL advantageously for the future as more consumers rely on the Internet to research and purchase premium products,” Dawkins continued. Because Amazon.com offers goods within almost every category that people shop for, the online retailer also has the unique ability to cross-merchandise THIEL with other high performance products from any category, promoting growth for the THIEL brand as well as providing increased visibility for the high performance audio marketplace as a whole.

The list of THIEL models available on Amazon.com include the PowerPlane 1.2 and HigherPlane 1.2 in-wall and in-ceiling speakers, the revolutionary PowerPoint 1.2 aluminum on-wall/on-ceiling speaker, the DewPoint outdoor speaker, the legendary SCS4 and MCS1 bookshelf/center-channel speakers and new subwoofer product to be unveiled later in 2010. “We are confident that there are numerous potential customers who may not be close to a local THIEL retailer but have an existing comfort level with Amazon andwant access to the brand,” Dawkins related.

Dawkins also envisions the increased brand exposure through Amazon.com as a powerful tool for all THIEL dealers. “Amazon has the unique ability to exhibit and sell any product at any price point, making THIEL visible to every demographic in all communities throughout the USA,” added Dawkins, who noted that the Internet retailer has done a superb job of expanding their presence in the audio industry.

THIEL Audio Products Company is a privately-held engineering-driven organization that performs research, design, and manufacturing of loudspeakers for the highest quality home music and video sound reproduction. Our products incorporate a variety of technological advancements in driver design, acoustical construction techniques, and crossover design. All our work is directed toward one end: to provide the most realistic sound reproduction possible. THIEL’s product range includes surface-mount speakers, in-wall/in-ceiling speakers, subwoofers, bookshelf and theater speakers as well as THIEL’s world famous floor-standing speakers. Prices range from $990 (each) for the PowerPlane® and HigherPlane® to the flagship CS3.7 at $12,900 per pair. (www.thielaudio.com)

Taipei, Taiwanー7th July 2010ーG.Skill International Co. Ltd., manufacturer of extreme performance memory and solid-state storage with solid quality, has today released its series of 24GB (4GBx6) triple channel memory kits at an extreme 2,000MHz CL8 1.65V. G.Skill previously demonstrated 24GB of DDR3 at 2,000MHz CL9 during Computex 2010 earlier this month, but has again managed to push the boundaries. This super capacity kit has already attracted a large number of extreme gamers and professional users who expect higher memory capacity can improve their PC performance. G.Skill has successfully provided 24GB (4GBx6) at 2,000MHz CL8 to another high-end boundary, making it the absolute ultimate choice for the extreme users.G.Skill’s 24GB kits are specifically produced to provide not only cutting edge performance but also top quality and compatibility across a range of popular motherboards designed for gaming, high-end workstations, hardcore power users and anyone who loves living on the cutting-edge!About G.Skill

Established in 1989 by enthusiasts, G.Skill is a leading memory manufacturer based in Taipei, Taiwan. The company's top priority is Quality. All of our products undergo a series of the most rigorous tests and strict quality control processes. In addition to a committed, qualified IC testing house to examine our products, all G.Skill products are 100% tested to ensure the highest yield, reliability and quality

Bluetooth track controls for iPhoneiPhone 4 lacks AVRCP remote music track controls for bluetooth headphones. With JayBird BluTrax!, you can use double or triple click of your play/pause button to change tracks remotely from your Bluetooth headphones. OverviewAvailable now from the iTunes app store.About JayBirdIn just two years JayBird has emerged as a credible authority in sports audio. With its designs highly influenced by athletes, its Lifetime Warranty Against Sweat on all products, and now as the Official Training Headphone Partner of USA Triathlon consumers can be confident they are buying a quality product.jaybirdgear.com

XSTREAMHD™ SIGNS LONG-TERM SATELLITE SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH ECHOSTAR SATELLITE SERVICES TO SUPPORT ITS GROUNDBREAKING HIGH DEFINITION (HD) ENTERTAINMENT SERVICE

XStreamHD Will Provide Consumers with First-Ever Full HD Direct-to-Home Cinema Class Movie Service

McLean, VA and Englewood, CO – June 29, 2010 – XStreamHD, an emerging leader in the delivery and distribution of Full HD entertainment directly to the home, announced that it has entered into a long-term satellite service agreement with EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., a subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (Nasdaq: SATS). XStreamHD is using satellite capacity from the EchoStar-leased AMC-16 satellite that is centrally located at 85 degrees west longitude. This enables XStreamHD to offer exceptional coverage across North America . Under the terms of the agreement, XStreamHD will increase its capacity on the AMC-16 satellite as the company’s transport needs grow over time. The two companies have been working together for the past two years as XStreamHD completed the operational testing of its revolutionary transport technology.

XStreamHD offers HD entertainment in a 1080p format, the highest quality viewing experience, delivered via satellite directly to homes. Its patent-pending technology enables XStreamHD to deliver a higher standard of digital entertainment that is equivalent to the quality of physical media. Utilizing Fixed Service Satellite (FSS) capacity from the AMC-16 satellite, XStreamHD transports multiple streams of Pre-Fetched Entertainment (PFE) to a subscriber’s sophisticated XStreamHD Media Server. With PFE, consumers enjoy a better level of entertainment convenience by having access to a customized storefront of movie titles that are automatically placed in their media server’s personal library based upon their unique user preference and distinct title selections.

“EchoStar is pleased to support new HD content services, like XStreamHD, utilizing our available FSS capacity,” said Dean Olmstead, president of EchoStar Satellite Services. “We look forward to playing a vital role in the launch of XStreamHD’s entertainment service.”

“EchoStar has been helpful throughout our development cycle as we perfected our patent-pending transport technology,” stated George Gonzalez, president and CEO of XStreamHD. “Having completed a rigorous set of test protocols, we are excited to launch our advanced whole-home HD entertainment solution this summer. XStreamHD will introduce consumers to a new standard of quality and convenience, unlike any other digital entertainment service.”

About XStreamHDXStreamHD is leading the HD revolution, setting a new standard for the delivery and distribution of Full HD entertainment throughout the home. XStreamHD provides the first-ever transport network to offer Full HD (1080p) video and up to 7.1 channels of lossless audio of movies and music delivered directly to the home via satellite. With XStreamHD, consumers can build a customized, unique, and unparalleled in-home entertainment network and enjoy the content they want most including movies, music, electronic games, broadcast HDTV, and more—when it’s most convenient, anywhere in the home, and at the quality today’s home theaters were designed to support. XStreamHD is based in McLean , Virginia . For more information, visit www.XStreamHD.com.

Life comes to Bluetooth headphones this season with an exciting range of colors everyone can enjoy. Also introducing Bluetooth + apt-X for pristine CD quality audio rivaling the very best of wired headphones. Say bye to your wired headphones and experience your music wirelessly, in CD quality & stunning colors. DesignTurn heads with the timeless design of Sportsband. The design takes cues from the 80's while maintaining a sleek, modern edge.Color comes to Bluetooth headphones Look around and you'll find the Bluetooth headphones category has taken a back seat to style... until now. JayBird brings life to Bluetooth headphones with the fresh new Sportsband color range. There is a color for everyone and every occasion. There are 9 colors available: Limonade Green, Sonic Blue, Orange Crush, Runner's Red, Toffee Apple Red, Midnight Black, Polar Blue, PowderPuff Pink, Snow White.Bass-rich Bluetooth Music The freedom of wireless is a liberating experience. It's even more satisfying with the bass-rich Bluetooth music experience of the Sportsband. The Sportsband is well established now as offering high fidelity bass response, surprising many with it's warm thumpy beats.Introducing the option of CD quality Music Performance over Bluetooth The new SB2 Sportsband comes with apt-X on board, which cleans up, adds depth, bass and treble to your Bluetooth music with technical specifications matching that of CD quality output. If your Bluetooth device has apt-X (or if you use an apt-X enabling Bluetooth adapter from JayBird), Sportsband finds it's 6th gear and kicks out pristine CD quality music performance. For those on the fence about Bluetooth audio performance, fence time is finally over.Demo apt-X vs wired headphones right now by clicking "about me" on the features page.Enhanced Call Performance SB2 comes with upgraded hardware for improved volume, clarity and call performance.Functions Sportsband handles both stereo music and phone calls. Complete AVRCP remote controls are included on the headphones.Ideal Workout Companion JayBird is well established as the ultimate workout headphone with it's Lifetime Warranty Against Sweat across it's entire range. JayBird backs your commitment to fitness so use them as you like. Sweat it up, we've got you covered. With JayBird's heritage of audio products made for athletes, it's lifetime warranty against sweat and now it's long-term partnership with USA Triathlon, you know you're buying a quality product.Pricing: Sportsband headphones are priced at $99. More InformationFeaturesGallery & high res imagesReviewsSpecsWorks WithWhere to Buy

iSport Bluetooth Adapter for iPhone & iPodThe Sportsband Bluetooth headphones produce a bass-rich Bluetooth music experience with any regular Bluetooth music device. You can purchase the Sportsband alone, or you can step up your music device's Bluetooth signal to apt-X CD quality with one of two apt-X enabling adapters.The micro-sized iSport Bluetooth Adapter for iPhone & iPod:1) enables Bluetooth on iPod nano and iPod Classic2) Gives the option of apt-X CD quality audio on iPhone, iPod or iPad3) Enables next & back track controls on your Bluetooth headphones for iPhonePricing: $69More Information

uSport Universal Bluetooth AdapterThe Sportsband Bluetooth headphones produce a bass-rich Bluetooth music experience with any regular Bluetooth music device. You can purchase the Sportsband alone, or you can step up your music device's Bluetooth signal to apt-X CD quality with one of two apt-X enabling adapters.The uSport Universal Bluetooth Adapter works with any device with a regular sized headphone jack (3.5mm). It enables Bluetooth on your device and even gives the option of apt-X CD quality audio. It's very slim, designed to lay flat against your music device in your pocket or armband.Pricing: $69More Information

So what should I purchase?I don't have stereo Bluetooth (often called A2DP) on my music deviceUse a JayBird Bluetooth adapter. iSport for iPod, and uSport for everything else with a 3.5mm headphone jack. Not only will you get bass-rich Bluetooth music, but you'll also step up to apt-X CD quality audio. Sportsband will switch to apt-X mode automatically.My music device has stereo Bluetooth, but it doesn't have apt-XGreat, the Sportsband Bluetooth headphones will produce a bass-rich Bluetooth music experience with your music device using your standard Bluetooth connection. You can purchase the Sportsband alone for that, or you can step up your music device's Bluetooth signal to apt-X CD quality with one of the two apt-X enabling adapters. iSport for iPhone/iPad/iPod, or uSport for anything else with a 3.5mm headphone jack. Sportsband will switch to apt-X mode automatically.Which music devices come with apt-X?Apple's new Mac Mini is the first to carry apt-X and therefore, does not require a JayBird Bluetooth adapter to play in apt-X quality to the Sportsband Bluetooth headphones. apt-X is built right into both devices so Sportsband will switch to apt-X mode automatically. There are plenty more phones and other devices to carry apt-X in the coming months.About JayBirdIn just two years JayBird has emerged as a credible authority in sports audio. With its designs highly influenced by athletes, its Lifetime Warranty Against Sweat on all products, and now as the Official Training Headphone Partner of USA Triathlon consumers can be confident they are buying a quality product.jaybirdgear.com

Taipei, Taiwan - 24th June, 2010 - G.Skill International Co. Ltd., manufacturer of extreme performance memory and solid-state storage, has today announced the warranty extension of the Phoenix and Phoenix Pro SSD series to 3 years.

In order to provide a better service for its customers, G.Skill has extended the warranty to 3 years for all Phoenix series SSD, Including Phoenix and the latest Phoenix Pro drives. For the consumers who have already purchased any G.Skill Phoenix series SSD, G.Skill will also provide 3 years warranty service too.

All G.Skill SSD solutions now come with 3 years warranty and the G.Skill Technical team is always ready to provide consumers with complete technical support via online forums, telephone and email.

Fremont, California, USA, June 24, 2010 - Patriot Memory, a global pioneer in high-performance memory, NAND flash and computer peripheral solutions, today announced the immediate availability of the Viper II Series ‘Sector 7’ Edition to its family of Extreme Performance DDR3 memory. The Sector 7 Edition DDR3 is the ultimate performance memory solution for the Intel® X58 system platform and has been designed with overclockers, enthusiasts and gamers in mind. Sector 7 modules are compatible for use with Intel® ‘unlocked’ Core™ i7 and Extreme Edition Core™ i7 processors.Patriot’s Sector 7 Edition is available in 6GB, 12GB and 24GB tri-channel kits in speeds ranging from 1600MHz to 2000MHz. The Sector 7 Edition products are an extension of the well received dual-channel Sector 5 Edition line of DDR3 for the P55 platform.“The Sector 7 Edition Extreme Performance DDR3 memory is yet another example of how Patriot provides performance modules that meet and exceed the performance expectations of hardcore enthusiasts” states Les Henry, Vice President of Engineering at Patriot. “Sector 7 Edition is an update and refresh of earlier modules. This move consolidates the best of the product offering under a family of products uniquely positioned for the enthusiast. This solution fits well with our objective of offering the latest technology and best performance in our product lineup.”The Viper II Series Sector 7 Edition is built using only the highest quality pre-sorted IC’s available and are subjected to rigorous testing and validation on the X58 platform to achieve optimized performance and maximum quality. Designed with an extruded aircraft-grade aluminum heat spreader, Sector 7 Edition modules quickly dissipate heat from the modules resulting in improved stability and reliability during extreme overclocking conditions. Each module is 100% hand-tested for quality assurance and is backed by a full lifetime warranty and industry leading customer service.For more information about Patriot’s products and solutions, please contact your Patriot Sales Representative or visit http://www.patriotmemory.com/.About Patriot Memory:Patriot Memory designs, manufactures and markets high performance, enthusiast memory modules, flash products, and computing technologies. Patriot products have become world renown for their extreme performance, reliability and innovation. Patriot Memory sells its products through original equipment manufacturers, retailers, e-tailers and distributors throughout the world with operations in North America, Asia and Europe. Patriot Memory’s parent company, PDP Systems, Inc., was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Fremont, California, USA.All company and/or product names may be trade names, trademarks and/or registered trademarks of the respective owners with which they are associated. Features, pricing, availability, and specifications are subject to change without notice

Friday, July 23, 2010

Video cards come in different sizes, performance, and unfortunately large price differences. If you are looking at your thin wallet and trying to figure out “what video card I can get without having to either A: trying to qualify for a second mortgage or B: rob a bank.” Then this review is for you!

BackgroundAfter purchasing a new Dell U2410 24” LCD monitor, I noticed that my Gateway’s integratedNvidia video card was no longer going to “cut the mustard”. For starters, I had used just aVGA port to run the monitor. Having shelled out a pretty penny for the monitor there was verylittle room left in the budget for a video card. There was also the issue of my computer. MyGateway computer, Running an AMD X2 64 process and 4GB of memory, served me well forthe last two years as my main photo editing and cataloging machine. But what video card,running the latest DirectX 11 software could I put into my tower and within a budget of $100($50 if I couldn’t convince the kids to skip lunch every other day). At the time, Nvidia was justannouncing their latest DX11 cards, but nothing at the low end of the specturm (i.e. nothingthat I could afford). Having had success in the past with ATI cards, I looked over their HD5000series offerings. My heart longed for the beautiful, sleek, and powerful HD5900 and HD5800series cards. Suddenly there was longing for these decadent pieces of technology that only thestubborn practicality of being a pauper could dampen. At $300+, these cards were way out ofmy budget. Especially since the kids started to complain if they missed more than two meals aday!

The HD5600 an HD5700 series looked more appealing and slightly more affordable. Inexamining ATI’s midpoint offering I realized another problem. My Gateway only had a 300Wpower supply. The HD5700 might handle 300W, but most companies recommended at least450W for a single card or more if running a Crossfire system. The HD5650 seemed an idealchoice, but the price and power requirement were still slightly out of reach. While musing overthis dilemma, the opportunity to test the HD5450 and HD5570 presented itself. I had dismissedthese cards because they seemed to be the underdogs in the video card arena. However, bothcards did not require a large power supply or an external power source (i.e. the card drew ispower for the PCI Express bus). Being a little of a cynic, I wanted to know what most reviewscould not tell me, namely will this card work in my system? Would it play some of the games,old and new, that are our out there? Will my Dell monitor perform better? Will these card washthe dishes and mow the yard? Let us find out.

Card OverviewBefore diving into the meat of the review, let us take a look at the two cards. The HD5450 isa compact card built around the Cedar GPU processor, sporting 512MB of DDR3 memory, acooling fan (not all models have this feature), DVI, D-SUB and VGA connections. Very lowpower consumption is one of the key features that makes the HD5450 an attractive card.Perfect for a HTPC system.

The HD5570 is very similar to the HD5450, with 1GB of DDR3 and a slightly faster GPU withmore streaming processor units. This particular reference model test had a fan that coveredboth the RAM and the GPU, while the HD5450 only had the fan on the GPU. The HD5570reviewed had a feature that allowed the card to be overclocked. This ATI utility worked reallywell and the card didn’t seem to have a problem.Both cards support ATI Eyefinity Technology. This technology allows the video card to extend the display out to three monitors! This was not tested during the review, but is certainly worth looking into down the road.

Installation and Initial ImpressionsBoth cards were easy to install and setup right away. One thing that struck me was how smallthe cards seemed to my older Radeon 9500 and 9600 video cards. The HD5450 is designedas a HTPC video card. Those who are designing a HTPC system will appreciate the diminutivenature of the card. The HD5570 was slightly bigger than the HD5450. Keep in mind that bothcards were stock ATI video cards.

I had no problem installing the latest ATI Catalyst drivers. What a different the DVI connectionmade on my beautiful Dell monitor! Suddenly the images were sharper and more detailed.Colors were rich and detailed. I couldn't believe what I had missed by sticking with the VGAport connection.

My Gateway’s puny 300w power supply had no problems working with either card. Thefirst part of the test was a success! Now to see how well the card can handle gaming!Gaming (no heckling!).

There were four games I tested the card out on: Half-Life 2, Warhammer 40k: Dawn of WarII, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, and Crysis. As you can see some of these games werenew and others were older titles. The HD5450 and the HD5570 had no problems running anyof these games. The frame rate in Half-Life 2 at 1900x1200 resolution with x4 AA got up to150 FPS and this was at maximum detail. For once I could actually play the game withoutcheating! My old cards would choke so badly you could take a water break between bulletsbeing fired at your character!

Crysis is considered a benchmark for testing out video cards. I had no problems runningCrysis at maximum settings. This game is more demanding than Half-Life 2. Both cards hadno problem keeping up with the game, much to my relief! Since Crysis was more demandingthan the Half-Life 2, I noticed my FPS dropped down to 40 FPS during peak action sequences.Dawn of War II looked and ran great! Most RTS games do not have the same demands as the FPS games. My expectations were a bit different, but the cards handled the challenge smoothly.

You might ask about more modern games, such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Dirt or other similar games. My view is that the cards will run the games, but not at maximum settings. Asmore DirectX 11 titles are released, these card will be hard pressed to deliver the performanceof their bigger siblings.

Other SoftwareOne reason for upgrading my video card was the release of Adobe’s Lightroom 3. Lightroom1.4 was a stable of my photography software for many years. With Lightroom 3 comingout, I wanted a video card with more memory and faster performance. Both HD5450 theand the HD5570 did not disappoint me at all; Lightroom 3 ran just fine. For improvedperformance, a faster CPU and more RAM would be the better choice. Keep in mind thatthe GPU is being tapped to do more work that in the past was sent to the CPU (think HDMI).

Dishwashing and Yard MowingI must admit that I did not have high hopes for these two fine cards to be the panacea forwashing dishes or mowing my lovely yard. What little hope that I had left was dashed by thecards refusing (yes, refusing!) to perform either task. I held back the tears and brought themback inside the house. So much for that experiment!

ConclusionTo be honest the HD5450 and the HD5570 came as a complete surprise to me. I expectedmediocre performance and perhaps even some system instability (due to my small powersupply). Instead, both cards delivered excellent performance and my computer never oncehad a power or heat problem. At last I could run my new monitor in all its digital glory whilestill being able to play older and newer video games. If you are looking for an inexpensivevideo card that can support DirectX11, uses HDMI (depending on the model)or DVI, then lookno further! If you goal is to be the king of the frag heap and dominate your opponent in thelatest games, I would suggest looking at the higher end ATI or Nvidia cards. The HD5450 isan excellent choice for designers of HTPC systems who require small, cool running cards.At the end of the day, my prefence would be the HD5570 because of its larger memory andslightly faster processor. In reality the performance difference between them was marginal.

Based on their stability, and performance for such a small price point, we are glad to announce they have earned our Value Award. Keep up the great work guys! For more info and complete specs, please check out their website at http://www.amd.com/.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Onkyo HT-S9300THX home theater system. Click photo for 300 dpi JPEG image file.UPPER SADDLE RIVER, NJ, 7/22/10 -- Onkyo, a brand renowned worldwide for quality home entertainment technology, has introduced the world's first THX® I/S Plus™ Certified (Integrated System) and 3D-Ready packaged home theater system. This type of system, popularly known as a "home theater in a box" or HTiB, consists of seven theater loudspeakers, a subwoofer for deep-bass sound effects, and an audio-video receiver that is fully compatible with state-of-the-art HD video players and video displays, including all the latest 3D technologies. It is compatible with the mandatory formats for 3D video broadcast content of “Side-By-Side (Half)” and “Top-and-Bottom” formats.The Onkyo HT-S9300THX receiver has four 3D-Ready HDMI 1.4a inputs for connection to modern audio/video source components, and it can upscale video from any input source to the maximum 1080p HDMI output resolution. The system receiver includes lossless Dolby & DTS high definition audio processing, Dolby ProLogic IIz height channel processing, and numerous other high performance sound processing features from THX, Audyssey, and Onkyo."With 3D and THX, this package offers remarkable value," said Paul Wasek, Onkyo's marketing manager. "As one of the most enthusiastic suppliers of THX Certified components, Onkyo has long recognized the importance ensuring that our customers experience movie sound effects exactly as the producer and sound engineer intended."“Our collaboration with Onkyo has produced an affordable, all-in-one home theater system with a sonic punch that puts most HTiBs to shame,” said Graham McKenna, Director of PR at THX. “Designed for movie fans and gamers who crave multichannel sound, the HT-S9300THX delivers every bass note, sound effect and dialogue like it was captured in the studio.”The Onkyo HT-S9300THX was awarded THX I/S Plus certification based on THX's independent testing of the combined audio performance of this system's receiver, speakers, and a powerful 12-inch subwoofer. The specially designed front loudspeakers use a THX-developed dual-woofer array that optimizes the sound field for a sonic presentation that is remarkably close to that found in the best THX movie theaters. The system includes THX Surround EX™; THX listening modes for Music, Movies and Games; and THX Loudness Plus™, a sophisticated volume-control technology which maintains surround impact at low listening levels.The HT-S9300THX also provides for easy surround sound speaker set up with Audyssey 2EQ room acoustics correction technology, and provides improved sound enjoyment with Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Audyssey Dynamic Volume processing. It includes Onkyo's proprietary Music Optimizer, which improves the sound of compressed music files for playback with loudspeakers, and four DSP modes for various gaming scenarios.All video inputs can be upscaled to 1080p video, regardless of native resolution, via Faroudja DCDi Cinema™ processor, which also removes the jaggies during the video signal deinterlacing process, resulting in smooth progressive-scan video images.The receiver employs Onkyo's new overlaid graphical OSD (on screen display) for seamless adjustment of settings while still viewing the program in the background. A proprietary rear-panel Universal Port can be used to connect an optional Onkyo UP-A1 dock for iPod/iPhone and UP-HT1 HD Radio tuner module. The receiver also includes Onkyo's HDMI Thru feature, which provides automatic source-to-TV switching when the receiver is in the standby mode. This allows children to enjoy programs using a TV's built-in speakers without the need to use the receiver's controls.The HT-S9300THX will be available at the end of July with a suggested retail price of $1,099.Since 1946 Onkyo has been passionately committed to developing audio products that deliver uncommon performance, quality and value. Bundling proprietary technologies and innovations with other sound-enhancing exclusives, Onkyo continues to created award winning products that are lauded by many of the industry leading audio publications. The company's philosophy is to deliver products that are superbly designed and built to a consistently outstanding standard of excellence. Today, Onkyo is at the forefront of the home theater and digital revolutions. For more information about this and other fine Onkyo products, visit http://www.onkyousa.com/ or call 800-229-1687.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Fremont, California, USA, June 24, 2010 - Patriot Memory, a global pioneer in high-performance memory, NAND flash and computer peripheral solutions, today announced the immediate availability of the Viper II Series ‘Sector 7’ Edition to its family of Extreme Performance DDR3 memory. The Sector 7 Edition DDR3 is the ultimate performance memory solution for the Intel® X58 system platform and has been designed with overclockers, enthusiasts and gamers in mind. Sector 7 modules are compatible for use with Intel® ‘unlocked’ Core™ i7 and Extreme Edition Core™ i7 processors.

Patriot’s Sector 7 Edition is available in 6GB, 12GB and 24GB tri-channel kits in speeds ranging from 1600MHz to 2000MHz. The Sector 7 Edition products are an extension of the well received dual-channel Sector 5 Edition line of DDR3 for the P55 platform.

“The Sector 7 Edition Extreme Performance DDR3 memory is yet another example of how Patriot provides performance modules that meet and exceed the performance expectations of hardcore enthusiasts” states Les Henry, Vice President of Engineering at Patriot. “Sector 7 Edition is an update and refresh of earlier modules. This move consolidates the best of the product offering under a family of products uniquely positioned for the enthusiast. This solution fits well with our objective of offering the latest technology and best performance in our product lineup.”

The Viper II Series Sector 7 Edition is built using only the highest quality pre-sorted IC’s available and are subjected to rigorous testing and validation on the X58 platform to achieve optimized performance and maximum quality. Designed with an extruded aircraft-grade aluminum heat spreader, Sector 7 Edition modules quickly dissipate heat from the modules resulting in improved stability and reliability during extreme overclocking conditions. Each module is 100% hand-tested for quality assurance and is backed by a full lifetime warranty and industry leading customer service.

Patriot Memory designs, manufactures and markets high performance, enthusiast memory modules, flash products, and computing technologies. Patriot products have become world renown for their extreme performance, reliability and innovation. Patriot Memory sells its products through original equipment manufacturers, retailers, e-tailers and distributors throughout the world with operations in North America, Asia and Europe. Patriot Memory’s parent company, PDP Systems, Inc., was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Fremont, California, USA.

All company and/or product names may be trade names, trademarks and/or registered trademarks of the respective owners with which they are associated. Features, pricing, availability, and specifications are subject to change without notice.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Fountain Valley, CA -- July 19, 2010 -- Kingston Digital, Inc., the Flash memory affiliate of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, today announced it is holding a “How Can a Kingston SSDNow Drive Change Your Life?” video contest. The contest (for U.S. residents only) asks entrants to come up with the most creative way to demonstrate how using a solid-state drive can change one’s daily life. Entries will be judged on creativity in presenting an idea or story in a video format. A total of $16,000 (U.S.) will be awarded.“Kingston® encourages people to create videos based on real-life daily use of an SSD or something out of their imagination,” said Ariel Perez, SSD business manager, Kingston. “We’ve heard from customers who praise the durability of the drive as they take their laptop to remote places. Other people have told us the speed and overall system responsiveness from the performance boost of the SSD has made their older PC feel like new again. Whatever it may be, Kingston might take one of the winning ideas from our video contest and create an entire marketing campaign around it.”Contestants are encouraged to use all of the props, graphics and other means necessary to create a video. The chief criteria for judges will be the video’s concept and how it is brought to life on screen. Video entries should be uploaded to a hosting website such as http://www.youtube.com/ or http://www.vimeo.com/. Next, go to http://www.kingston.com/ssd/videocontest/ and submit your video link and contact information to be automatically entered to win. A total of 13 winners will be chosen with first place receiving $7,500 and second place receiving $5,000.The “How Can a Kingston SSDNow Drive Change Your Life?” contest begins July 19, 2010 and runs through September 20, 2010. There is no purchase necessary to enter or win. Contestants must be 18 years of age or older. The contest is open to legal U.S. residents (void in Puerto Rico and Hawaii). Complete rules and information can be found at http://www.kingston.com/ssd/videocontest/.

About Kingston Digital, Inc.Kingston Digital, Inc. (“KDI”) is the Flash memory affiliate of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the world’s largest independent manufacturer of memory products. Established in 2008, KDI is headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, USA. For more information, please visit http://www.kingston.com/ or call 800-337-8410.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Is it computer upgrade time? Some of you may have realized, especially in our current economy, that upgrading your computer is cheaper than buying a new one. After all, you already have most of the components, such as the case, power supply, DVD burner, and hard drive. Upgrading your processor and motherboard can give you a big boost in performance, depending on how old your current processor is.

One thing to keep in mind when upgrading is quality and compatibility. You don't want the motherboard to have compatibility issues with your other components. And you also want the motherboard to be one that will last for years. One company that has a great reputation for both quality and compatibility is ASUS. Up for review is the ASUS P7P55D Deluxe. The reference components used comprises of:

Intel Core i3 540 processor

P7P55D Deluxe motherboard

Corsair XMS3 DDR3-1600 2GBx2 Dual-Channel memory kit

Powercolor HD5450 video card

Western Digital Raptor 74GB HDD

Asus U3S6 USB 3.0 and SATA 3.0 add-on card

Silverstone Decathlon 1000W power supply.

Not only is the ASUS P7P55D Deluxe a high quality and highly compatible motherboard, it is also loaded in features. These features include:

1) Auto Tuning2) QLED3) Mem Ok!4) VRM5) T-Probe6) EPU7) Q DesignAuto tuning - This is a unique feature that is actually hardware driven, using the TurboV EVO chip. To get all the performance that you can from your processor, many individuals will turn to overclocking. ASUS has one of the best, if not the best, method of overclocking. When it comes to overclocking, it can be complicated if you want to the max overclock you can, involving multipliers, voltages, timings, etc. And once you find correct stable settings for your processor, you also need stable settings for your memory. But that does not mean that the other components such as video card, will be able to handle the overclock. ASUS like other motherboard manufacturers, have overclock utilities so that beginners can have some fun overclocking. ASUS takes a much better approach. It actually involves a hardware chip on the motherboard that not only monitors the settings of the motherboard and memory to get a stable overclock, it also checks your other components to make sure they won't have any problems with your overclock settings and cause an unstable overclock. That way you know that your overclock settings actually will be stable if it passes the Auto Tuning checks. You enter the Auto Tuning through the TurboV Evo App.

QLED are the status LED's that show if a component has a problem such as seating.

MemOK! adjusts the memory settings. To save some cash many of us may purchase cheap memory. Cheap memory however can have compatibility issues. MemOK! will check compatibility of the memory. If there are issues, it can adjust the settings so that the memory can at least be used. With other manufacturers, you would be off to the store to buy new memory.

VRM is a switching phase power design (16 + 3 phase).

T-Probe is a unique temperature monitoring per phase. Typically loads are dispersed evenly in the phases. Often times there are hot spots in the phases. T-Probe can distribute the load based on the temperature.

EPU can change your fan profiles with multiple fan users, as well as power settings.

Q Design is a user friendly slot design. For example, memory slots typically have two retaining clips that you push to release the memory sticks, but the P7P55D Deluxe only has one per card. The video card slots also have simple push down retaining clip without any kind of locking mechanism, which can break or be difficult to get at to get unlocked if you need to get your card out.Aside from features, the board has some great quality and features. ASUS includes anti-static resistors next to the in/out connectors to protect against static discharge when connecting external devices. There is also back plating on the board for additional cooling.

The board also comes with quite a bit. The packaging is first rate, and the manuals are easy to read. The performance was good too. I highly DO NOT recommend doing this, but I was able to overclock it to 3.7GHz on the stock cooler. Again, overclocking on the stock cooler is dangerous for your processor but it can be done when monitored carefully, and you can get some good performance. The Intel Core i3 is a great overclocker! Part of the performance comes from the motherboard being a solid and stable board. But a huge chunk of the performance is from just how good this chip is, giving a big bang for the buck. Lets take a look at the benchmarks below.

The TurboV EDO worked well, with multiple options. Easy mode allowed for just the changing of the BCLK frequency. Manual allowed for the changing of BCLK Frequency, CPU Voltage, IMC Voltage, and DRAM Bus Voltage. You could also save your changes in multiple custom personalized profiles. A separate mode involved the Turbo Key, which is a wired remote that connects to your motherboard. I will talk a bit more about it later, but it has 3 buttons for overclock settings that you can select from your profiles mentioned above. I was able to achieve a 3.7GHz overclock fairly easily by just increasing the CPU voltage to 1.2V in addition to increasing the BCLK frequency to 160MHz. I could have gone higher, but did not want to risk it on a stock cooler. And after all, this review is on what you can do performance-wise on a tight budget. This Core i3 just seemed to like to go fast, and this P7P55D Deluxe seemed more than willing to oblige.

The Auto Tuning feature of the TurboV EDO gave me mixed feelings. It was very cool the way that it worked. Once you started the feature, it would check the stability of your components as it slowly increased the BCLK. It would get to a point where the overclock was not stable and the computer would reboot. Then it would restart the computer and keep going until it found a setting that was stable. And all of this was done in the Windows environment so you could see what it was doing. With my system, I saw it go from 3.3GHz to 3.4GHz and up. But then when it was done, it stopped at 3.13GHz....??? It appeared stable at 3.3GHZ, and it also appeared stable at 3.4GHz. But it set the overclock to 3.13GHz. I did notice that the Auto Tuning only changed the BCLK. So it is a pretty safe overclocking tool. If you are a first time overclocker and want to try it out, I would recommend getting your feet wet with the Auto Tuning. Once you are more comfortable doing it, the TurboV EDO has the tool to take your overclock even further.

Going back to the TurboV remote, it is very simple to use. There are buttons are in three sections. The first is power, followed by Turbo Key, and EPU. The power button does just that, and will turn off your system. The Turbo Keys consist of A, B and C, for three different overclock profiles to choose from as I briefly mentioned above, and + and - buttons to increase or decrease the bus speed. The last section of buttons is for EPU, and consists of Manual Mode and Auto Mode. The Manual Mode changes the setting of your overclock. For example, I was in High Performance Mode when I did my overclock testing and saved my three profiles. I saved them as 3.28GHz, 3.5GHz, and 3.7GHz. So, if I load my B profile which is set at 3.5GHz in High Performance mode, it will change if I change my EPU settings. The EPU has settings of, starting with the most power hungry and working down, it goes in order Turbo, High Performance, Medium Power Saving, and Max Power Saving. So my Turbo buttons B profile is 3.5GHz using EPU High Performance Mode, but if I change to Turbo the speed increases to 3.62GHz, and down to 3.45GHz for Medium Power Saving, and 3.39GHz for Max Power Saving.

You will want to be aware of these settings when you are searching for a stable overclock. o if you are looking for the max stable overclock you can get, and using the TurboV EVO, I would make sure you are in the Turbo mode. If you get your max stable overclock and not realizing you are in Medium Power Savings mode, you will be stuck in that mode or lower. Going up to High Performance or Turbo modes will increase the speed and now you will no longer be stable. But try it out and play around with it. It was fun for me.

One thing I also liked about the P7P55D Deluxe is it's upgradability. Some of you may be familiar with this board and questioning that statement. After all, this was introduced last year and it does not have SATA 3.0 or USB 3.0 built in. I understand that, but with the amount of time this board has been on the market, it is a real bargain for around $180 when it originally went for at least $250. I have even seen it for around $150 with rebate. That is a lot of motherboard for the price. Something else about the board is it has three PCI Express 2.0 slots. This is unique to some of the budget USB 3.0 and SATA 3.0 boards, which only has two PCI Express 2.0 slots. Many of you may be saying that you don't need three graphics cards. The problem, is that the embedded chip that makes the USB 3.0 or SATA 3.0 possible uses data lanes of that second PCI Express slot. So, bottom line is that you can have SLI or CrossfireX using 2 video cards, but only if you do not want USB 3.0 or SATA 3.0.

The P7P55D Deluxe can do it all. Yes, thanks to the help of Asus's U3S6 add-on card which retails for $30, you can now have USB 3.0 and SATA 3.0. With the use of the third PCIe slot for the U3S6 add-on card, you get all the bandwidth you need for USB 3.0 or SATA 3.0, and do not lose any of the bandwidth from the first two slots running SLI or CrossfireX. The P7P55D Deluxe comes with an extra set of 2 USB and one eSata connectors, and when connected to the U3S6 as I did, the eSata is a SATA 3.0 connection.

If you can't tell, I really like this motherboard. So much so that it has earned our Stereowise Plus Editor's Choice Award! Congrats Asus!! Their included features on this board, including the TurboV remote, and the ease of use has done it for us. And keep in mind this is from last year. I would love to see how they are doing on their new 2010 models. Or even better, with how well they do with motherboards, I would love to see how they do with graphics cards!! Maybe they will surprise me with an HD5830 or GTX 465 card to review. Either way, keep up the great work. Having used their products before, I'm glad to see their reputation continues. For more info and complete specs, check out their website and http://www.asus.com/.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Faster and cheaper, that tends to be the trend in consumer electronics. That is not always the case with computer components. A motherboard may cost $200, and two years later a motherboard of the same level quality and performance may cost the same, but it will have more features and be faster performing.

Gigabyte has a history of being a quality manufacturer. Their reputation is one for delivering quality, and performance. That history appears to continue with the P55A-UD4P motherboard. For someone looking for current and future features, Gigabyte manages to squeeze them into the P55A-UD4P. It is an ATX motherboard using Intel’s socket 1156 and P55 chipset for the Core i3, i5, and i7 processors.

Upgrading your motherboard seems to be about compromise. Do you upgrade now, or wait for one with the new features. The Gigabyte manages to deliver it all. Some of these features are in USB 3.0 and SATA 3. SATA 3 components are now coming out. I enjoy being able to use the new components, such as USB 3.0, even though I may not have that device now. The Gigabyte P55A-UD4P allows me to scratch that upgrade itch now with my computer, and be ready for new components as they come out.

When it comes to features, the Gigabyte P55A-UD4P gives you a lot of bang for the buck, with an emphasis on Ultra! The extensive feature set includes:333 Onboard AccelerationUltra Durable 3Ultra SmartUltra Power EfficientThese are some great usable features, some of which are unique.Starting off with 333 Onboard acceleration, it helps boost your performance. This feature includes USB 3.0, USB Power 3X, and SATA 3.0, hence the 333. USB 3.0 gives you up to 10x the speed of USB 2.0. USB Power 3X is a power boost to help with compatibility and stability of external devices such as external storage devices and optical drives. SATA 3.0 gives you up to 4x the speed of SATA 2.0 via RAID 0, thanks to the embedded Marvell chip.

Next we come to Ultra Durable 3. This is in the form of 2oz Copper PCB, 50,000hr Japanese Solid Capacitors, Lower RDS(on) MOSFETs, and Ferrite Core choke. Benefits of the 2oz Copper PCB in comparison to the competitors 1oz Copper PCB is Lower temperatures, 2x lower impedance, lower EMO, better ESD protection, better power efficiency, and better overclocking.

Last but not least is the Ultra Power Efficient category. This includes Dynamic Energy Saver 2, and Auto Green. Dynamic Energy Saver 2 is a proprietary utility that uses both hardware and software to increase your PC’s energy efficiency, reduce energy use and deliver optimized auto-phase-switching for the CPU, memory, chipset, VGA, HDD and system fans. All of this is done with a simple click of a button. Auto Green is Automatic system energy saving via Bluetooth.

All in all, with all of the features, including 12 phase power and Dolby Home Theater integrated, and a 3 year warranty, this ATX board packs a good punch. But while features are nice, none of us will be happy with the end product if it does not perform well. I am glad to see that the Gigabyte name and reputation appears to remain untarnished with the performance it yielded. But don’t take my word for it. Let’s check out a few benchmarks using Sandra 2010, 3DMark Vantage, and PCMark Vantage. The reference gear used included:Intel Core i3 540, Gigabyte P55A-UD4P, Corsair 2x2GB DDR3 1600 Dual Channel memory kit, and Powercolor HD5450 1GB video card, and WD 74GB Raptor HDD.

As you can see, the P55A-UD4P performed well based on the configuration. And with the Gigabyte name, you know it is a product that you can rely on. It does not have any additional add-on cards such as additional USB or eSATA connections, or audio card, and using dual video cards will limit the SATA 3.0 and USB 3.0 to normal mode. But the board packs a real punch with its features, and potential, and has earned the Stereowise Plus Recommended Award. For more information and complete specs, check out Gigabyte’s website at: http://www.gigabyte.com/.